Charles P Pierce - If the Russians Got into Voting Machines, I Fear for the Republic

[LiberalLovinLug]

77. Ah yes, the benefits of "direct democracy"

Its true. Sometimes we add an issue, on a Provincial vote, like a referendum on PR voting for instance we did once here in BC. And there are more issues to vote for in municipal elections. Like major infrastructure decisions. But I don't recall ever having an extra issue on a federal voting polling card. Federal voting should be restricted to federal issues. Same with Provincial(State) and municipal. Not only because all those extra decisions makes it more intimidating for casual voters, but that can be used to draw out one issue voters in order to win. Like adding a useless choice on preserving traditional marriage or preserving the rights of Christian businesses to deny the rights of others for their own beliefs etc...

Direct democracy is great in theory, but sometimes, for most issues, it works better to just let the ones you voted in for four years do their jobs and you can always vote them out next time if you don't like it.